PaCFA is a voluntary global level initiative among more than 20 international organizations and sector bodies with a common concern for climate change interactions with global waters and living resources and their social and economic consequences. PaCFA members share a commitment to raising awareness of the vital importance of these issues, developing effective tools and management approaches to address them, and building international development support to implement change and bring about lasting positive outcomes.

Members are actively involved in global meetings that address climate change issues in order to alert and inform decision-makers and climate change negotiators about the implications for fisheries and aquaculture. From this, global, national and local responses can be formulated and implemented for adaptation and mitigation in aquatic ecosystems and for fisheries and aquaculture and in national and local responses to climate change. See PaCFA Policy Brief 'Fisheries and Aquaculture in our Changing Climate'.

PaCFA supports the process of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in response to the need for concerted action on fisheries, aquaculture and climate change. It lays the groundwork for coordinated response from the fisheries and aquaculture sector to climate change, notably through a strategic approach to maintain or enhance the health and resilience of global oceans and waters, and strengthening the capacity of dependent people and communities, integrating these closely into broader development strategies.

Now the focus is on Rio+20 taking place in June 2012 where climate change and its negative impacts on vulnerable groups has been re-affirmed.

PaCFA 10 key messages:

Our oceans and aquatic ecosystems are key in regulating the world’s climate – they are resilient but at increasing risk

Oceans and aquatic ecosystems are our largest natural carbon sink – we must keep them healthy to absorb emissions

Millions of people depend on the world’s aquatic ecosystems for a living and billions benefit from fisheries foods and products – aquatic ecosystems are critical to global food security and economic prosperity

Climate change will cause unprecedented disruptions to aquatic and coastal systems – we must understand the risks for everyone to act wisely

New prospects for oceans and aquatic ecosystems with resilient communities and ecosystems and food and livelihood benefits are possible – we must act now to decelerate damage and benefit from opportunities

Connecting local interests to global needs can build stronger communities with shared aims – we can create new patterns of global partnership

Climate change mitigation and adaptation can fit with increased wealth through good stewardship – we should support these positive links

A global blue carbon fund will create a vital dynamic for change and for building and applying investment at all levels - we can connect linking private, public and civil society interests and aims

PaCFA offers the global community a voice to strengthen and safeguard our common goals for the world’s oceans and aquatic systems – we can gain by sharing, acting and informing together